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Day One
IV. TOWN GOSSIP
14. 'Abo Lovers' & 'Tykes'
My father was poor as a child.
He mixed with the kooris in Bre.
Rejected by the upper class catholic 'tykes'.
He couldn't be bothered with them anyway.
"We never got invited
to a lot of the white events
run by the 'tykes'.
They called us 'abo lovers'
& told us not ter encourage 'em.
A lot 'ad been put out on the mission.
They gave the kings of tribes tin plates
ter wear around their necks.
Ter give 'em something ter be proud of.
Couldn't even give 'em precious metal
or let 'em
raise their children.
When the movies were on in town
we were too poor to afford a ticket.
So we slipped under the side curtains
with the black kids.
Most were good fighters & football players.
We all sat together.
There was no problem.
I 'ad a bit of rope as a belt tied 'round me waist.
We all wore smiles & bare feet." | 
